Why Decongesting Delhi Remains An Unrealised Vision

Official data show on Delhi roads spreading 33,198 kilometres (kms) ply over 96 lakh (9,634,976, to be precise) registered vehicles. However, the speed at which the number of vehicles swell on Delhi roads every year is unimaginable; the annual growth is estimated over six per cent. In good-old days, people bought cars in all-cash deals; today they have the luxury to get the automobile purchase fully financed. As a result, the number of registered vehicles on India's roads has been doubling every seven years.

Along with that rises the number of road accidents. In 2015 alone, 430,603 vehicles were registered in Delhi while 1,622 people died in road accidents. In a nutshell, Delhi roads have got killer instincts.

Irrespective of the ambitious plans to rid Delhi's roads of their humongous traffic burden, nothing concrete has been achieved. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's bright plan to implement the Odd-Even Road Space Rationing in two phases also did not achieve the right results. (Ignoring the merits of the formula, his opponents and a large section of the public lashed the CM for his whimsical ways.) The Centre's long-term plans to build new roads, over-bridges, subways and transport networks are also only making the matters worse in the short term. The ongoing Metro work at various locations, for instance, is causing major traffic jams at peak hours. So, no respite is in sight as far as a relief in short-term is concerned.

But, will things improve in the long term? The answer is no.

India is an emerging economy, where the rise of the middle class is behind all the so-called progress. As a proof of its upgraded lifestyles, this section is making huge investments in automobiles, among other things, to show it has arrived. When Delhi had the odd-even rule in place, many considered buying new vehicles — even if they had to take a loan to do so — to duck any restrictions on their movement. Having multiple cars is no big deal for a middle-class man in Delhi, even if he does not own a place to park his vehicle. The infamous fights that break out on a regular basis in the narrows alleys of Malviya Nagar, Lakshmi Nagar, Uttam Nagar, Indira Vihar and many other congested settlements do justify this point.

As it stands today, it would be long before the middle class of the country gets over fancying its new-found upgrade and trying to stamp the same through buying grand homes, news cars and precious metals. Chocking roads of Delhi are going to be the least if their concern in the times to come.